5 depth centres Calgary Flames should target ahead of the trade deadline
The Calgary Flames’ impressive first half of the 2024-25 season may end up altering their trade deadline plans.
The expectation entering the season was that the Flames would be sellers for the second straight year, but against all odds, they are right in the mix for a playoff spot.
Given how well Calgary has performed, some now believe they could be buyers by the deadline. The Flames won’t be making any massive moves as they continue to build for the future, but GM Craig Conroy may look to reward them with a minor acquisition.
The biggest area where the Flames need help right now is down the middle. They don’t have a ton of depth at the centre position, and Kevin Rooney’s results in the fourth-line slot have been less than ideal. Should Conroy wind up making a move, here are a few depth centres worth targeting.
Nick Bjugstad (Utah Hockey Club)
- 2024-25 stats: 42 GP, 5 G, 8 A, 13 PTS
- Contract: $2.1 million, pending UFA
- Shoots: Right
Nick Bjugstad is nothing flashy but has been a decent depth-scoring forward throughout his 736-game career. He’s been playing on the wing for the Utah Hockey Club as of late but has plenty of experience down the middle.
Bjugstad has won 47.4% of his draws this season, and despite not being a penalty killer this season, he has experience doing so throughout his career. Utah isn’t completely out of the playoff picture just yet but may struggle to stay in the race over the next month.
Radek Faksa (St. Louis Blues)
- 2024-25 stats: 39 GP, 3 G, 6 A, 9 PTS
- Contract: $3.25 million, pending UFA
- Shoots: Left
Like Utah, the St. Louis Blues aren’t out of the playoff race but are losing ground due to a current three-game losing streak. Should they become sellers, Radek Faksa is a name that will be floated around.
Though the Flames would prefer a right-shot centre, Faksa is another typical fourth-line option who is comfortable on the penalty kill. His 54.1% success rate in draws this season would lead the Flames. He does have a five-team no-trade clause, but he may be willing to join the Flames in hopes of getting back to the playoffs, where he’s logged 79 career games.
Christian Dvorak (Montreal Canadiens)
- 2024-25 stats: 50 GP, 4 G, 11 A, 15 PTS
- Contract: $4.45 million, pending UFA
- Shoots: Left
On the surface, Christian Dvorak is a player you wouldn’t expect the Flames to have much interest in. His offensive totals have been disappointing the past two seasons, and he makes a lot of money. He’s a pending UFA, however, and Conroy has a ton of cap space to work with.
The Montreal Canadiens may elect to hold onto the 28-year-old, given that they are in a playoff chase. If they were to fall off, however, he’s an interesting target. He has been great at the dot this season at 56.2% and would come cheap due to his rather lucrative deal.
Blake Lizotte (Pittsburgh Penguins)
- 2024-25 stats: 34 GP, 8 G, 4 A, 12 PTS
- Contract: $1.85 million through 2025-26
- Shoots: Left
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in the midst of another rough season and are expected to be active heading into the trade deadline. One depth piece teams around the league may consider making a move for is Blake Lizotte.
The issue for the Flames with Lizotte is that he has an extra year on his contract. With their lack of depth in the position, however, along with Rooney’s deal coming off the books at the end of the season, it could be enough for Conroy to roll the dice.
Derek Ryan (Edmonton Oilers)
- 2024-25 stats: 33 GP, 1 G, 4 A, 5 PTS
- Contract: $900,000, pending UFA
- Shoots: Right
The Flames, along with 30 other NHL teams, chose to pass on Derek Ryan after he was placed on waivers by the Edmonton Oilers less than two weeks ago. Not taking the chance to pick him up for free suggests the Flames aren’t interested, though they could take another look if nothing else comes to fruition.
The organization is very familiar with Ryan, and he would be very inexpensive to acquire. His offensive game is almost nonexistent these days, but he is still fantastic on draws and can kill penalties. He’s also a right-handed shot, which the Flames would prefer.